Method for operating a fuel cell system and fuel cell system

Abstract

A fuel cell system having a fuel cell block is operated by compressing an operating agent for the fuel cell block with a liquid ring compressor. After compressing the operating agent, water is separated from the operating agent in an apparatus for water separation. The fuel cell block is cooled with the water and, after the cooling, at least a portion of the water is fed back into the apparatus for water separation. This measure reduces the number of components which form the fuel cell system.

We claim:  
     
       1. A method for operating a fuel cell system having a fuel cell block, the method which comprises: 
       compressing an operating agent for a fuel cell block with a liquid ring compressor;  
       subsequently separating water from the operating agent in an apparatus for water separation;  
       cooling the fuel cell block with the water; and  
       subsequently feeding back at least a portion of the water into the apparatus for water separation.  
     
     
       2. The method according to claim  1 , which comprises using process water from the fuel cell block for cooling the fuel cell block. 
     
     
       3. A fuel cell system, comprising: 
       a fuel cell block;  
       a liquid ring compressor for compressing an operating agent for said fuel cell block;  
       an apparatus for water separation connected between said liquid ring compressor and said fuel cell block in a feed path for supplying said fuel cell block with the operating agent; and  
       a line connected between said fuel cell block and said apparatus, said line feeding water, after flowing through said fuel cell block and cooling said fuel cell block, back into said apparatus.  
     
     
       4. The fuel cell system according to claim  3 , further comprising: 
       a process water separator connected to said fuel cell block; and  
       a further line for feeding process water from said process water separator into said apparatus.  
     
     
       5. The fuel cell system according to claim  3 , comprising a further line branching off from said line and opening into said liquid ring compressor for feeding part of the water into said liquid ring compressor.